Main and Subordinate Clauses

1. Main and Subordinate Clauses

2. Bellringer- January 8th Rewrite the sentences below, choosing the appropriate word which belongs in each. This may be done on the same sheet of paper as yesterday’s bellringer. • She was much more full of life than/then. • Be careful—there is poison ivy growing among/between the flowers in my garden. • Are you sure that you would rather watch the game in the rain rather than/then stay home and watch it on TV? • The couple’s personalities compliment/complement each other perfectly; she loves to talk and he loves to listen. • It can be easy to forget that five minutes of reckless behavior can affect/effect those around you for a lifetime. • Ben and Melissa were worried sick until they found there/their/they’re dog in the neighbor’s garage.

3. Main vs. Subordinate Think of this analogy: In a football game, the person who controls the ball is the quarterback. Without the quarterback, the ball cannot be moved. However, the quarterback cannot act alone; in order to move the ball, he requires the help of linemen, running backs, receivers, etc. Another example: Santa Claus must deliver toys to all of the children in the world, but he doesn’t act alone. His elves help him make the toys and his reindeer help him fly his sled.

4. To illustrate our analogies… • MAIN • SUBORDINATE

5. Main Clauses • Every main clause will follow this pattern: SUBJECT + VERB = COMPLETE THOUGHT • A main clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. • To decide whether a clause is main or not—think of a quarterback or Santa—if the clause is a sentence that can function all on its own, it is a main clause. • Every sentence must have at least one main clause. Otherwise, you’ll have a sentence fragment!

6. Main Clauses- Examples • Lazy students whine. Students = subject; whine = verb. • Cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter. Cola = subject; spilled, splashed = verbs. • My dog loves pizza crusts. Dog = subject; loves = verb.

7. Subordinate Clause • A subordinate clause will follow this pattern: SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION + SUBJECT + VERB = INCOMPLETE THOUGHT • A subordinate (also called a dependent) clause is unable to stand alone as a sentence. Like the other football team members or Santa’s elves, subordinate clauses depend upon a main clause to be complete. • Without the support of a main clause a subordinate clause is an incomplete sentence.

8. Subordinate Clauses- Examples • Whenever lazy students whine Whenever = subordinate conjunction; students = subject; whine = verb. • As cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter As = subordinate conjunction; cola = subject; spilled, splashed = verbs. • Because my dog loves pizza crusts Because = subordinate conjunction; dog = subject; loves = verb. Notice how these thoughts lack definitiveness- they are missing some element (a main clause).

9. Main + Subordinate Clauses- Examples • Whenever lazy students whine, Mrs. Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads. • Anthony ran for the paper towelsas cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter . • Because my dog loves pizza crusts, he never barks at the deliveryman.

10. In-Class Practice

11. Punctuating Sentences • Remember that a main clause can be considered a complete sentence all by itself, but a subordinate clause cannot. • One simple rule to follow: you must use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to separate two or more main clauses. • Coordinating Conjunctions are words that can be used to connect (put together) two main clauses. The coordinating conjunctions used to connect main clauses are and, but, or, for, so, yet, and nor. FANBOYS

12. Punctuating Sentences • There is one simple rule for punctuating sentences which contain a main clause and a subordinate clause: • If the sentence BEGINS with a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE, you need to add a comma. If the sentence BEGINS with a MAIN CLAUSE, you do NOT need to add a comma. • Unless you bring a present, you cannot participate in the gift exchange. (Begins with a subordinate clause) • My family likes to gather at my house to celebrate every holiday. (Begins with a main clause)

13. Copy down on your own sheet of paper exactly as it appears here.